U-Ming Marine Transport has added two large bulkers to its orderbook in China as the shipowner carries out a renewal drive that has also seen it offload at least three ships.

The Taiwanese company has exercised options for a pair of 210,000-dwt newbuildings at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, doubling its newcastlemax tally at the Chinese yard to four.

A U-Ming official confirmed the company has exercised the options, which it has held since it booked two newcastlemaxes at the yard in February.